Graining machine



June 18, 1929.

c. ZARKIN 7 1,718,020

GRAINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

- MQWMQTTORN Y Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHINE COMPANY,

INC., 1] NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GRAINING MACHINE.

Application filed August 31, 1927. Serial No. 216,551.

This invention relates to apparatus for graining the printing plates used in offset presses.

The objects of the invention are to simplify and improve such apparatusand in particular to balance, reduce vibration and quiet the operation of the machine.

In machines in use at the present time, the tub containing the plates and the graining marbles is traversed by two eccentrics, connected with opposite ends of the tub. If these eccentrics are not properly timed, or get out of timing, as by one wearing faster than the other, objectionable vibration, noise and undue wear results.

A special novel .feature of the resent invention is the operation of the ,tu by a single eccentric or equivalent member.

Other important novel features of the in- .vention will appear as the specification proceeds.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrate one practical, commercial embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine, with the tub raised to show the guiding and actuating mechanism.

Figure 2 is a similar view, with the tub and the frame to which it is attached, removed and the .lowcr sliding frame broken away and appearing partly in section.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the machine, as on substantially the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are broken plan and vertical sectional views, respectively of the trough and drain pan construction at the end of the tub.

The tub which carries the plates and the graining marbles is designated 7 and, except for certain special features, later described, is shown as of substantially standard construction. At one end, the tub is shown as having a hinged mounting at 8, on

a sub-frame 9, and at the opposite end as having pins 10, to enter sockets 11, on said sub-frame. This congtruction permits the tub being raised and tilted as in Figure 1, for drainage purposes.

The sub-frame 9, is supported on the main frame 12, by balls 13, working in cups 14, at the corners of the main frame, the subof the sliding frame.

frame having suitable wear plates 15, engagin said balls.

otion is imparted to the sub-frame or tub frame 9 by an eccentric 16 on'the up- .per end of'a vertical shaft 17, journaled in spaced bearings 18, carried by a cross brace 19 at the center of the mainframe, said eccentric operating in a bushed bearing 20 carried by a heavy cross channel 21, forming a substantial part of the tub frame.

' The tub is restrained and guided in a circulatory path b a slide frame 22, interposed between the tu frame and the top of the main frame and disposed diagonally with respect to said other frames so as to bring its corners intermediate the sides of said other frames. This slide frame is slidingly supported at its corners by resting on hearing brackets 23 on the sides of the main frame and on brackets 24 on the ends of the main frame. The latter brackets have a guiding, in addition to the supporting function, being formed with guide channels 25, on the longitudinal center of the machine, receiving slide blocks 26, pivoted at 27, to the end corners The latter is thus confined to a longitudinal sliding movement on the main frame. At the transversely opposite, side corners of the slide frame, guide blocks 28 are pivoted at 29, engaging guideways 30 on the sides of the tub frame. The tub is thus confined to transverse movements relative to the slide frame, but by the longitudinal movements of the slide frame is permitted a substantially circular travel, under the impulse of the eccentric. The pivoted guide blocks accommodate themselves to any slight inaccuracies of alinement, enabling a smooth, easy, universal motion.

The eccentric is shown balanced by an oppositely extending counterweight arm 31, at the top of the shaft, directly beneath the eccentric, so as to swing over the top of-the cross brace 19 and the action is further smoothed by a lesser counterweight 32, on the lower end of the shaft, positioned to swing beneath the cross brace and extending diametrically opposite the upper counterweight.

The eccentric shaft is illustrated driven by spiral gearing 33 from a shaft 34, journaled betweenthe cross brace and the end of the frame and carrying a belt pulley 35.

v vide sharp angularly related movement with At one end the tub is partitioned off by a removable wall 36, Figures 4 and 5, to provide a wash trough for the balls or graining marbles. The floor of this trough is shown as provided by a plate having diamondshaped or square openings37, of less width than the diameter of the balls, so as to proedges for scrapin the balls and openings which cannot be fully closed by the balls.

Attached to the tub, beneath the selfdraining wash trough, is a transverse catch basin 38, having a drain pipe 39, which may be equipped with a valve or simply discharge into a sewer connection. This construction, it will be'seen prevents waste and splashing of the wash water.

While the form of the invention disclosed constitutes a preferred embodiment, it Should be understood that the structure may be modified and changed without departure from the true spirit and broad scope of the invention and further that the terms employed herein are used rather than in a limiting sense, except possibly for such limitations as may be required by the state of the prior art.

he machine is relatively simple and sturdy in its construction, easily assembled and well balanced so as to run quietly and without vibration. The single eccentric operation and the lack of vibration enables the machine to be operated at or speed than has been possible heretofore.

hat is claimed is:

1. A graining machine comprising a main supporting base, a guide frame mounted on said base and supported thereby for move ment in one direction thereon, a graining tub mounted on said base independently of the mounting of the guide frame on the base and whereby the ing is borne by the supporting base independently of the guide frame, said graining tub being confined to the guide frame for respect thereto at an angle to the direction of the movement of the guide frame on the supporting base but having a universal circulatory movement on, the supporting base and a single rotating eccentric member havinga connection with the graining tub for circulating said graining gitudinally of the considerably high-* entire weight of the grain-- ance and control of the guide frame riding) on the base free ofthe weight of the tub.

2. A graining machine comprising a supporting base, a grainingtub mounted for circulatory movement on said base and wholly supported thereby at separated points, a guide frame mountedon the base intermediate the graining tub and the base and supported on the. base at points in between the points of support of the tub on the base, said guide frame being confined to one definite movement on the base, and 'the tub being confined to one definite movement relative to the guide frame at an angle to the direction of movement of the guide frame on the base, and a single rotating eccentric member connected with the tub for circulating the same on the base under guidance of the intermediateindependently supported guide frame.

- graining machine comprising a substantially rectangular graining tub supported at the foul-corners of the same for circulatory frame supported at corner supports of guide frame being guided for movement longraining tub and confined to the tub for relative movement of the tub and frame transversely of the tub, said graining tub and guide frame being supported each independently of the other so that the guide frame may operate free of the weight of the graining tub and a single rotating eccentric member connected with the tub for imparting circulatory graining movement thereto under control of said guide frame.

4. A graining machine comprising a sub stantially rectangular main frame, a substantially rectangular guide frame arranged diagonally of the main frame with its corners between the corners of the main frame and guided for movement" on its diagonal axis on said main frame, a graining tub suported at the four corners of the main rame, independently of the guide frame and confined for'sliding movement relative to the guide frame on the other diagonal axis of said guide frame and ing eccentric actuating means ing tub.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES ZARKIN.

points between the four for said grainthe graining tub, saida single rotat-' graining movement, a guide 

